Go Tyler! Beat Batten! – A Sister’s Story

My brother, Tyler, has always been the most energetic happy little boy I have ever been around. He never runs out of things to do or things to say.

A few years ago, he started to have seizures and began to lose his vision. Around a year ago, our family found out that Tyler has juvenile Batten disease. Batten disease is a rare and awful neurodegenerative disease that is terminal. There is currently no treatment or cure but there are researchers who have discovered a treatment that slows the progression of the disease and others are working on a possible cure for the disease.

When I first found out he had this disease, I was a little in disbelief. I have seen many commercials of people diagnosed with terrible diseases but it never occured to me that it could happen to Tyler. He seemed like such a happy and healthy boy that it was hard to understand that such a devastating disease was hurting him.

In the first few months of his diagnosis, I did not want to talk about it with anyone outside our family. I did not know how to tell people what he was going through because it is not a common disease and I knew no one would really understand what was happening. Our family began first with telling close friends and extended family. More recently, we joined other affected families and set up a fund at Beyond Batten Disease Foundation called Tyler’s Mission. All donations to Tyler’s Mission go to the research for a treatment and cure for juvenile Batten disease. Seeing all the people who have donated to this cause has showed me how many people care and support our family and it really means so much to us. It did not cross my mind that so many people who do not know us were also donating and leaving comments of support. Looking at these comments made me realize that it is possible to raise the 6 million dollars needed by next year to start a clinical trial for the treatment for kids living with Batten Disease. So far, Tyler’s Mission has raised over $45,0000!

This summer, I want to make a difference. I want to help raise money and awareness of Batten Disease. It is urgent to raise the funds as quickly as possible because time is not on our side. With donations and support, there is hope for a treatment and ultimately a cure.

Every day I am reminded there is hope for my little brother and others with Batten Disease. I love Tyler more than words can explain and he brings me happiness everyday from his little kisses to his big squeeze hugs to his goofy bad jokes. Although he has hard days and struggles sometimes, he always hold his head up high and helps me see how much there is to appreciate in our lives.

Please help us raise funds and defeat Batten Disease by donating to Tyler’s Mission at beyondbatten.org/tylers-mission or visit the Understanding Batten page to learn more about Batten disease. To stay updated with his journey, follow his Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @tylersmission.